M-1 Challenge 61 Adds Two Explosive Fights to Marquee

Russian MMA promotion M-1 Global continues to build upon its M-1 Challenge outlet and its next event just became stronger. In an announcement made Thursday afternoon, M-1 Challenge 61 had two potentially-explosive fights added to its roster.

Submission specialist Sergej Grecicho (21-6-1) will take on unbeaten Russian Magomed Idrisov (5-0) in an intriguing featherweight encounter. The other recently-announced scrap is a lightweight contest between Ramazan Esenbaev (8-1-1) and Damir Ismagulov (3-1).

Grecicho, a veteran of Shooto, K-1 Hero’s and Zst, will be making his M-1 debut when he tangos with Idrisov. The Lithuanian recently bounced back from a loss to Anton Kuivanen by toppling Antti Virtanen via first-round heel hook. Before that, he had won nine straight fights, with eight of those victories coming via submission or knockout.

Idrisov has looked sensational thus far in his young career, but he hasn’t fought anybody with the sort of experience as Grecicho. He’s split his wins between knockouts and decisions, with his last performance being a unanimous decision win over Max Coga in May.

Esenbaev has been on a tear as of late, winning five of his last six fights. The Russian returns to M-1 after a two-year absence and last won a unanimous decision over Kiuma Kunioku in December. Ismagulov has won his last two bouts after losing for the first time as a pro.

M-1 Challenge 61 is slated to be headlined by the heavyweight championship between titleholder Marcin Tybura defending his crown against Ante Delija. Also on the card will be a middleweight tussle between former 185-pound champ Magomed Sultanakhmedov and Marcelo Brito.

M-1 Challenge 61 will be held in Ingushetia, Russia on Sept. 20, and will be streamed live on M1global.tv.